Top 8 cup proposed for First Division
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday June 23, 2015 14:06
The proposal was made at the FDSL assembly held on Sunday at the Lekidi Centre.
FDSL secretary, Sydney Magagane told the meeting that the tournament is meant to raise funds for teams. He said the tournament would keep teams active during the league break. Magagane explained that under the proposal, teams that finish the first round of the league in position one up to eight, qualify for the tournament.
Magagane added that teams often struggle financially when they are promoted to the Premier League, adding that such an initiative would better back them, before they received grants.
“The teams will play home and away quarter-finals in December. The semi-finals will be held in February 2016. The final will be played in March. We are yet to decide the prize money amount for the winner,” he said.
Magagane also said the proposal could only be successful if there is a sponsor, adding that they were yet to inform the Botswana Football Association (BFA) about the proposal.
Magagane further said that the idea would also be brought before the FDSL meeting to be held next month when all clubs are present, before it can be taken to the BFA. He also proposed an increase in the entrance fee from P15 to P20 and that the BFA fee be increased from five to ten percent.
When presenting the financial report, FDSL treasurer, Thebeetsile Mokgwa raised concern that the league did not generate enough money from gate takings in the past season. He attributed the loss to the teams’ failure to deposit money into the league bank account.
According to the league income statement, the league made P1, 300 through gate takings.
Mokgwa also said teams should not expect the committee to run the league with such a meagre amount.
“We made P20, 300 through the registration of players; this is a sign that we had a busy season in terms of players’ movements. We expect the figure to increase this coming season,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mokgwa complained about late affiliation by some clubs, saying the trend leads to the league owing match officials. He said the league has parted with P134, 175 as payment to referees, but they still owe them P31, 000.
He also complained that the Premier League has taken the FDSL office and should return it.
“The BFA is always taking funds from FDSL and paying us back is a challenge. Right now they took P400, 000 from the Debswana sponsorship and we were informed that the money was for administration purposes. That money has just disappeared,” he said.
At the same meeting, clubs were informed that referees are contemplating officiating fees next season.
Mokgwa said should that be the case, it would cause problems, especially if the Debswana sponsorships are not renewed.